The 15 Must-Read Books Coming Out This June

The books on this list will make you feel good. From hilarious essays written by Judd Apatow to Jason Bigg’s wife Jenny Mollen and even a former one-hit-wonder musician, there are plenty of true tales that will keep you laughing. But if it’s pure escapism you’re looking for, there’s plenty of that too, with a novel about a family winery full of secrets and a memoir that gives an even crazier look behind the Wolf of Wall Street life. They’re juicy, smart reads perfect for those beginning-of-summer beach or pool days.

1. Sick In The Head ($20): If you’re watching Knocked Up on repeat and it isn’t enough for you to get your Judd Apatow fix, you’re in luck. Hollywood‘s resident funny guy is releasing a book in which he talks comedy with big names like Lena Dunham, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. Reading it feels like you’re eavesdropping on conversations you never would have been privy to otherwise. It’s a must-read for every comedy lover out there. (out June 16)

2. Proof of Forever ($13): This book isn’t on Amazon’s “100 Books Every YA Lover Should Read,” but it’s pretty far up on our list. This buzzy debut from Lexa Hillyer is about four 17-year-olds who used to be camp besties, but now they are all but strangers to each other. But with the help of a time-traveling photo booth, they are given the chance to patch things up before they all head off to different colleges. (out June 2)

3. More Happy Than Not ($15): If you’re a YA lover, this is another book you should have on your radar. MTV.com and TeenVogue.com are already raving about it. Aaron has had it pretty rough as a teenager. Living in the Bronx, things aren’t easy for his family, especially after his father commits suicide. He becomes friends with a guy named Thomas, and his life changes dramatically when he starts liking him as more than a friend. (out June 2)

4. Charlie, Presumed Dead ($13): Charlie, Presumed Dead starts with a funeral. A well-liked guy named Charlie supposedly died in an explosion. At the funeral, two strangers meet for the first time and discover they’ve both dated Charlie… at the same time! As they share their stories with each other, they get the nagging feeling that Charlie is still alive. This mystery novel will keep you reading way past bedtime. (out June 2)

5. Sweet Forgiveness ($12): Author Lori Nelson Spielman’s first novel, The Life List, is being made into a movie, and her new release is just as cinematic. In the book, everyone is obsessed with buying little pouches of stones called Forgiveness Stones. The idea behind them is that you give them to someone and when you’re seeking forgiveness. But a talk show host named Hannah thinks the whole thing is a gimmick. When the creator of the stones appears on her talk show, Hannah opens up about becoming estranged from her mother, prompting her to try to make amends years later. (out June 2)

6. Skyfaring ($17): Most of us take flying for granted, but Skyfaring (written by a former pilot) reminds us how extraordinary it really is. The weaving of history, science and anthropology make this a truly original read. It’s apparent that he loves everything about flying planes, which he details in beautiful, romantic prose. It’s an intriguing look at what it means to be a pilot — and a passenger — that will make you look at traveling in a whole new light. (out June 3)

7. The Meursault Investigation ($12): The New York Times recently ran a lengthy review praising this new novel, and the acclaim is right on the money. Written by Algerian journalist Kamel Daoud, the book is a response to The Stranger, Albert Camus’s famous novel. To mix things up, Daoud retells the tale from the viewpoint of the nameless Arab’s brother. Daoud’s writing is so effective and bold that Algerian officials have threatened his life. It’s a heavy, academic read, but well worth the discipline of reading it closely. (out June 2)

8. The Domino Diaries ($19): Even if you’re not a sports person, you’ll get sucked into journalist Brin-Jonathan Butler’s colorful Cuban world. Butler gives a real insider’s look by letting readers in on his 10 years in Cuba and showing how the sport of boxing promises multimillion-dollar contracts to people who would otherwise be struggling to have enough money to eat. There are also lots of juicy bits, like the romantic details of his relationship with one of Fidel Castro’s granddaughters. (out June 9)

9. Twisted($12): In this truly enjoyable read, writer Bert Ashe shares his first-hand experience about his attempt to grow dreadlocks. Spoiler alert: It’s not easy. Besides telling his personal story, he shares the broader cultural history of the hairstyle and touches upon issues such as race, gender, politics and identity. It’s an eye-opening read, but one that will keep you smiling from cover to cover. (out June 9)

10. In the Unlikely Event($17): This is without a doubt one of summer’s buzziest book. Forever author Judy Blume is back, this time with a novel for adults. It’s an intergenerational family drama based loosely on the true events of a series of plane crashes that occurred between 1951 and 1952. Blume was a teenager at the time of the plane crashes, which all occurred in her home state of New Jersey. The book follows various loved ones whose lives changed drastically after the crashes. (out June 2)

11. I Like You Just the Way I Am ($12): If you’re looking for something to tie you over until Mindy Kaling‘s new book comes out, funny girl Jenny Mollen’s book, I Like You Just The Way I Am, is right up your ally. If you aren’t familiar with her, you probably at least know her husband, Orange Is The New Black star Jason Biggs. Mollen is a former Playboy.com columnist, and her witty raunchiness shines through in this collection of true tales from her crazy Hollywood life. (out June 2)

12. After Perfect ($19): This is one of those real-life-is-crazier-than-fiction stories. Christina McDowell’s father was a Wall Street mogul and she grew up with the picture-perfect life. But when she was 18, her father was arrested for fraud, having laundered money in her name. As a parting gift before heading to prison, he left her in $100,00 worth of debt. Life as she knew it fell apart. This is the other side of Wolf of Wall Street, where behind all the glamour and greed are devastated victims whose lives were forever tainted. (out June 2)

13. A Field Guide to Awkward Silences ($19): Telling hilarious dispatches from her life, Alexandra Petri lets readers laugh along with her as she auditions for America’s Got Talent and America’s Next Top Model (both quite unsuccessfully), loses on Jeopardy! and experiences other truly embarrassing tales you’ll be happy didn’t happen to you. But at the heart of it, she shows the freedom that comes with just being yourself, no matter how awkward things get. (out June 2)

14. Thank You, Goodnight ($20): Andy Abramowitz may be a Philadelphia lawyer now, but in the ’90s he was in a band with a pretty spectacular one-hit wonder. This book tells a collection of funny stories about how exactly he went from chart-topper to stuffy lawyer, while also including some heartfelt love stories straight from his own life. It’s so enjoyable that you’ll be asking for an encore. (out June 2)

15. Eight Hundred Grapes($17): Seeing as how this book is about a winery in California, we think it’s pretty much mandatory to read it with a glass of wine. The novel centers around a woman named Georgia, whose seemingly perfect fiance reveals a shocking secret right before their wedding. To cope, she flees to her family’s winery, where she discovers her parents are separating and selling their land to a big corporation. (out June 2)